Molecular and cellular basis of micronutrients as antidotes to environmental toxicity related disorders - Nigeria in focus

Abstract

The environment is the totality of the living and non-living surroundings of an organism needed for sustainability and life. There are several sources by which the air, water, food, and the whole environment gets polluted, becoming unhealthy for living. Human activities result in the generation of harmful molecules that accumulate in the environment predisposing to adverse human health. There are several contaminants present or released to the environment ranging from persistent organic pollutants, toxic metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides and generally induce oxidative stress from the generation of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and free radicals, damaging DNA, protein and lipid structures of the cell, ultimately resulting in various diseases, especially noncommunicable diseases such as cancers and development disorders. A favorable antioxidant status is considered protective of human health, enhancing resistance to disease or improving prognosis through redox and molecular mechanisms. Although therapeutic regimens still occupy pride of place in the global health systems, especially in Africa, advances in science provide compelling evidence of the urgent need to have a better understanding of the antioxidant system and its application in reinforcing human defense mechanisms. A pragmatic approach based on sound scientific principles is to adopt the intake of protective factors modulating host defense mechanisms largely antioxidant systems by employing dietary and/or pharmaceutical agents as chemopreventive or biological interventions (bio-actives). Micronutrients are a diverse group of substances including vitamins and micro-minerals which play a significant role as cofactors and enzymes in signal transduction and genetic signaling. These beneficial bio-molecular effects are exerted through the modulation of several important signaling pathways. Micronutrients include potent non-enzymatic antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, carotenoids, retinoids, thiols, natural flavonoids, among others, and trace elements such as copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, and iron which play a significant role as co-factors for the control of the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Recognition of the potential of prime poly-functional micronutrients is pivotal and should be harnessed in Africa, especially Nigeria, at least in part as a proactive and economical approach to disease prevention and management. This article highlights the serious prevalent environmental pollution in resource-limited nations like Nigeria, due to progressive industrialization and attendant sequelae or consequences, and how they can be mitigated by antioxidants based on their molecular cellular and biochemical activities; thus providing a pragmatic economic and sustainable approach to maintaining the health of the population in Nigeria and in the global population optional.